Urinary retention is a condition when you have difficulty in completely emptying the bladder. People with urinary retention have the tendency to urinate often or have the urge to urinate again even after using the bathroom.
When you have urinary retention, it could be acute or chronic. Acute means that it can come very quickly, and it can be severe, while chronic means you’ll have the condition for a longer period of time.
SYMPTOMS
The signs and symptoms of urinary retention can very. Symptoms of acute urinary retention can include:
- The inability to urinate
- Pain in the lower abdomen, often very severe
- Urgent need to urinate
- Swelling of the lower abdomen
While the symptoms for chronic urinary retention develops over time and sometimes cause very few to no symptoms at all, which may make it hard to detect. If chronic urinary retention causes symptoms, they can include:
- Frequent urination in small amount
- Slow urine stream
- Inability to completely empty the bladder
- Urgent need to urinate
- Feeling the need to urinate again after urination
- Leaking urine
- Lower abdominal pain
CAUSES
Urinary retention can be caused by several different reasons. These reasons can include:
- A blockage in the flow of the urine
- Medications for other medical condition
- Nerve issues that interrupt how the brain and urinary system communicate
- Infections that prevent the urine from being washed out from the body
TREATMENT
The treatment for urinary retention depends on its cause. Some causes might be easier to treat, while others may not. But treatment for this condition can include:
- Antibiotics for urinary tract infection
- Physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction
- Using a catheter to drain the bladder
- A surgical procedure called urethral dilation
- Inserting a stent to the urethra
- Surgery to remove enlarged prostate
- Surgical repair of the cystocele
Anyone experiencing symptoms, especially with acute urinary retention, should see a doctor immediately. Chronic urinary retention is not a medical emergency, but it still does need to be checked because it might indicate a more serious underlying problem. Delaying treatments will only allow the condition to get worse. Mostly, urinary retention is treatable so there is no need to be embarrassed by this condition.
At Doral Health and Wellness, our team of urologist will help you diagnose, treat, and manage your condition. To book an appointment, you may call us at 347-868-1098 or visit our website at